European Parliament
18 March: INTA meeting
European Commission
20 March: Europeaid Infopoint conference: Environmental Change and Human Health
Council of the EU
16 March - Foreign Affairs Council
16 March - Agriculture and Fisheries Council
17 March - General Affairs Council
19-20 March - European Council
ACP Secretariat
16 March : S/C on Sustainable Development
17 March: Bureau of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly & Preparatory meetings
18 March: 37th Session of the ACP Parliamentary Assembly
18-19 March : Bureau of the ACP-EU JPA
19-20 March : Committee meetings - ACP-EU JPA
The CTA Brussels News Service is providing EU-ACP policy news since 2004, on various key thematic areas. In addition to this news service, we also provide news on ACP intra-regional trade, and south-south cooperation (investments of emerging countries' in agriculture in the ACP regions). The main stories for the week are featured in our newsletter and all stories can be found in our Regional Trade and the South-South cooperation sections.
The EU's 11th European Development Fund (EDF) has entered into force with a total of €30.5 billion in financing. The EDF will finance the EU's development cooperation projects in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and with Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) to assist countries in their efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key areas include: sustainable development, including rural development and sustainable agriculture; environment; energy; food and nutrition; and health and education. The EDF will also support work related to democracy, good governance and the rule of law.
The EU-Cariforum Economic Partnership Agreement between Caricom countries and the European Union was a driver behind the enactment of geographical indication (GI) legislation in most Caricom countries. The World Trade Organization TRIPS agreement is only available for wine and spirits GIs, and there is currently no uniform reciprocal legal recognition for non-wine and spirit GIs in international jurisdictions. Jamaica’s Cannabis, also known as marijuana, is one of the country’s domestically GI registrable products. It can classify as a GI which is protected by intellectual property, based on the natural and/or human capital characteristics directly related to its geographic or territorial origin.
Last year, Fairtrade International developed Fairtrade Sourcing Programmes (FSP) for the key commodities of cocoa, sugar and cotton. The new model was designed with the aim to benefit and boost business for farmers, while also encouraging businesses to scale up their purchases of these commodities. Fairtrade Foundation UK recently agreed to introduce FSP cocoa and sugar this year and chocolate giant Mars. Was the first company to make a commitment to the Fairtrade Cocoa Sourcing Programme for the UK market. Fairtrade is now a well-known concept amongst all consumer, not merely most conscientious ones. It ensures that small-time producers get a better deal for their produce and making a better living. It has been estimated that more than 1.5 million people in 74 developing countries. Benefit from Fairtrade activities.